Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY286577 Unique Reference Number 22 October 2007 Inspection date Dinah Round Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and seven year old son. They live in a house in Parkstone, Poole, in Dorset. Childminding is carried out in all areas of the house, with sleep provision on the first floor. Children have access to an enclosed rear garden for outside play activities. The family have a dog which children have access to under supervision.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and currently cares for two children on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy family home. They are protected from the spread of germs through the effective practices and procedures followed by the childminder. This includes the provision of liquid soap, disposable towel and clean individual towels. Children are familiar with the routines and know to wash their hands after using the toilet, confidently saying to

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 others ' I'm washing my hands'. The childminder explains how we use the soap to get the germs off. Accident records are satisfactorily maintained, however, medication records are insufficiently detailed and parental consents to administer medication is not always obtained. This compromises children's health. Children would be suitably supported in the event of a minor accident as the childminder has completed first aid training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat a healthy diet as the childminder offers them a variety of nutritious options at meal times. This includes lunches of cheese and ham sandwiches, fresh fruit and vegetables, and hot dinners, such as spaghetti bolognese with whole-wheat pasta. This helps children to learn about eating healthily, which they use in their play. For example, during role play they select the play food and explain to others 'I'm finding all the healthy food for our lunch'. Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents and the childminder follows these to ensure that children remain healthy. Children have access to drinks throughout the day to prevent them from becoming thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children walk to and from school daily which means that they get plenty of fresh air and exercise. They enjoy regular trips to the local park where they use large equipment like slides, climbing and balancing apparatus. This help to promote their physical development and co-ordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is satisfactorily promoted through the many safety measures put in place. This includes safety gates at the top of the stairs and locks on low cupboards housing cleaning substances. However, the security of the premises is not sufficiently secure to make sure children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised. Children learn how to keep themselves safe during their play through the clear explanations given by the childminder. For example, she calmly reminds children not to stand on the chair because they may fall. A variety of clean, age appropriate equipment and resources is provided for the children. Children have opportunities to choose their toys and the childminder closely supervises to ensure that the resources chosen are suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop an awareness of keeping themselves safe when on outings. This is due to the childminder teaching them road safety, making sure children hold her hand and using reins for younger children. A clear fire evacuation procedure has been developed and smoke alarms are tested to check they are working. Children are involved in evacuation practices to ensure they know what to do in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and procedures. She is aware of the possible indicators of abuse, which helps support her in her role of safeguarding children. A child protection policy is shared with parents, although records of existing injuries are not clearly recorded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in the childminder's care. They have good relationships with the childminder and her family which makes them feel settled and secure. Children are confident to ask for help when needed and a step is provided in the bathroom to encourage them to be independent in their personal care. They independently find books for the childminder to read, and enjoy looking at the pictures and listening to the story of 'Bob the Builder'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are provided with a wide range of activities and experiences which promote their learning. From an early age they have opportunities to use their senses to explore and experiment with paint, chalks, sand and water. Children take part in frequent baking activities to make bread, cakes and cookies. Children benefit from the childminder's positive involvement in their play, as she talks and listens to them, asking questions to help promote their learning and development. Children have fun as they prepare the playfood, carefully pushing the buttons on the microwave as they cook lunch for the childminder, saying with excitement 'it's going to be yummy'. The childminder knows the children well and organises activities that are interesting and continue to support their learning and development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy regular outings to places of interest outside the home to extend their experiences, including trips to the beach and Moors Valley Country Park. Children attend local parent and toddler groups which provides them with good opportunities to develop their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual needs and liaises closely with parents so that any particular requirements are followed. This helps make children feel settled and secure. Children are encouraged to get involved in making decisions about their play, they select their own resources under supervision from the wide range stored on the first floor. Children learn about their community through regular visits to the library, local parks and daily walks to the local school. Children gain awareness of other cultures and ways of life through discussion and regular access to a wide range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They benefit from the childminder's clear understanding of their age and stage of development when dealing with behaviour issues. For example, effective use of distraction with toys makes sure that children are kept well occupied and involved. Children co-operate well during tidy up time, happily helping to put away the cars to make space for the play kitchen. They receive regular praise and encouragement from the childminder which helps to promote children's self-esteem. A behaviour policy is shared with parents to provide consistency for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's friendly, yet professional, relationships with parents. The informal daily discussions at the beginning and end of the day means information is regularly exchanged and contributes to children's care and well being. Written information is recorded for the youngest children on the 'things we have done' form to share information with parents about their child's meals, sleep times and activities. The childminder formulates a CD-Rom for parents every six months which is full of photographs of their child involved in activities. This provides parents with a interesting picture record of their child's time spent in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home in the relaxed and welcoming environment. Space is reasonably well organised to allow children to move around freely and provides areas for sleeping, eating and play activities. However, security measures do not fully protect children. Children are provided with a variety of interesting play opportunities which include regular experiences outside the home. The childminder continues to attend relevant training courses to help develop her practice

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and recently developed a risk assessment to use in the children's play environment. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

In general, documentation is well organised and stored securely. However, medication records are not fully clear to show all the required information. Individual contracts and written parental consents are in place for some children. Policies and procedures have been developed, these are shared with parents to make sure they are clear of the childminder's practices.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to obtain prior written consents from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. This is in place for some children but not has not yet been obtained for all children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • make sure medication records are clearly recorded, and that parental consent to administer any medication is obtained at all times • review security measures to make sure that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised • make sure records of existing injuries are clearly recorded, and parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is obtained for all children.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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